Mahatma Gandhi Popularity in World: Former US President Barack Obama, who was called the world’s biggest superpower, was once asked if he would choose to sit with one person once in life and have an opportunity to have dinner, then whom would he choose? Obama’s answer was – “Mahatma Gandhi.”
This answer was not just a formal etiquette, but a proof of Gandhi’s thoughts and deep respect for personality. A person who holds the key to the world’s deadliest nuclear weapons wants to sit with the old, thin man who has neither power, no weapons, nor army, nor post-yet the whole world puts his legacy on his forehead.
This question repeatedly shocks Indian society-when Gandhi is abused on their land, bullets are fired on their effigies, condemning them are considered valor, even then they stand up every time more alive-not only in India, but in the whole world.
Global influence of Gandhi’s views
Gandhi was not only the leader of India. He had become the pioneer of humanity. The thoughts he sowed-non-violence, truth, self-power, civil disobedience-they go beyond the boundaries and flourish in every corner of the world. Martin Luther King Junior, Nelson Mandela, His Holiness Dalai Lama, Ang San Suu Ki, Waklav Havel, Lee Kuan You, openly admitted that their movements and thinking were inspired by Gandhi.
Albert Einstein wrote about Gandhi – “Coming generations will scarce believe that such a one as this ever in flesh and blood walked upon this earth.” (The coming generations will hardly believe that such a person had gone on this earth made of flesh-flesh.)
It was not a poetic sentence, but a tribute to the greatest brain of the scientific era – for the person who tilted an empire without arms, without fear, only self -power.
Gandhi’s idols and memories – identity of India in the world
Gandhi is still not only in books. They are alive as idols, roads, buildings and memories. Gandhi statues are installed in more than 150 countries of the world.
For example:
• Gandhi’s bronze statue at Parliament Square, London – right in front of Churchill.
• Washington D.C. The statue of Gandhi near the Indian Embassy – with the echo of truth and non -violence.
• At the Petermaritzberg station in South Africa where Gandhi was landed by train – his monument is the center of inspiration today.
• There are idols of Gandhi in Houston, San Francisco, Toronto, Paris, Johannesburg, Melbourne, Seoul, Buenos Aires, Tokyo and Moscow.
• Africa, from where their struggle began – museums and buildings have been constructed in many cities there in his memory.
Postage stamps have been issued on Gandhi in more than 150 countries. There are roads named after Gandhi in dozens of countries of the world – “Mahatma Gandhi Road”, “Gandhi Avenue”, “Gandhi Square”, “Gandhi Marg”.
UK Prime Minister Etley meets
There was another evidence of Gandhi’s world-sanction when he met British Prime Minister Clement Atallie. These were the same Atallie, under whose leadership the British Empire gave India freedom.
In this meeting, Gandhi did not talk about any political position or respect. He only talked about the welfare of the poor, Dalits, farmers and women of India. Atli himself admitted that “Gandhi is not an individual, but an era. It was because of him that Britain was forced to leave India.”
Attempt to murder in Champaran – still not stopped
When Gandhiji reached Champaran (Bihar) for the first time, then his goal was to understand the suffering of farmers affected by indigo cultivation only. But this exasperation was passed on to local landlords and British officers.
It is believed that an attempt was made to poison Gandhiji in tea. But that effort failed. He did not complain.
His thinking was – “If I am on the path of justice, death cannot stop me.” This Champaran Satyagraha became the first successful use of Gandhi’s public life – and the direction of India’s freedom struggle changed.
Abuses Gandhi, bullets – but they rise every time
In India, Gandhi has been repeatedly abused in the last few years-he was called a coward, it was talked about sending Pakistan, and his effigy was celebrated by shooting his effigy on an open platform.
But every time those who did this had to see Gandhi’s growing popularity – his thoughts kept returning to the slogans of protesters in schools, in speeches.
When apartheid fell in South Africa – Gandhi’s picture was on posters.
When the black movement in America was raised – Gandhi’s posters and quotes were in march.
When democracy was demonstrated in Hong Kong – flags were waved as “Bapu’s non -violence” as an ideal.
Why are Gandhi still relevant today?
1. Because they refused to bow down to violence.
2. Because he made Satyagraha a tool against injustice.
3. Because he said that nation is built not only by weapons, but by moral force.
4. Because he taught that Shakti means anger, but patience.
conclusion: Gandhi is an idea, and ideas cannot be killed, conspiracies to kill Gandhi are not just by shooting – they are forgetting, denying them and making ridicule. But a person who is “a rare miracle born on earth” in Albert Einstein’s words – he cannot be forgotten. Gandhi still looks “old, feels weak, but whenever the world is tired of violence – she returns to Gandhi.” If some people reject them – then the world adopts him and depth. Therefore, Mahatma Gandhi has become eternal symbols of worldly not only of Indian history. Every time they try to erase them – they get alive among us more clearly.
